There’s no magic bullet to cure cellulite, but eating well, losing weight and strengthening the muscles around your thighs, hips and bottom can...more

There’s no magic bullet to cure cellulite, but eating well, losing weight and strengthening the muscles around your thighs, hips and bottom can go a long way in reducing its appearance now and in the future.

“Incorporating regular sessions of cardiovascular training with strength training and eating nutritiously can definitely help improve the look of cellulite,” says Dr. Paul Cohen, dermatologist at the Rosedale Dermatology Centre in Toronto.

The key to success is dedication to all three cellulite-busting methods. Drink plenty of water and eat foods high in fibre and complex carbohydrates – whole grains and fruits and vegetables like avocados, blueberries, citrus fruits, cantaloupe, apricots, broccoli, peppers, tomatoes and spinach – which work to get rid of waste from the body and minimize the production and storage of fat, says New York-based naturopathic doctor Alan Logan. Foods that promote the growth of the fatty deposits that cause cellulite include processed baked goods and sugary drinks, which create spikes in insulin and cause the body to bump up its fat storage under the skin.

Crash diets boost cellulite formation because they make the body believe it’s in starvation mode, causing it to retain saturated fats that build cellulite.

Next comes cardiovascular training. To see results in six to eight weeks, dedicating three to five workouts a week that last at least 30 minutes is ideal, says Toronto personal trainer Kathleen Trotter. Incorporate a few sessions of high-intensity interval training to your weekly cardio routine – for example, jog 10 minutes and follow with three sets of five-minute sprints with two-minute walks in between – try including a weekly fitness class to mix things up, and change your regimen every six weeks to encourage your body to react to change.

Follow the same rules for strength training. Incorporate two to three sessions per week, switch up your regimen regularly, and include weights when performing lunges, squats, side squats and dead lifts to train and tone the legs and tush.

There’s no magic bullet to cure cellulite, but eating well, losing weight and strengthening the muscles around your thighs, hips and bottom can go a long way in reducing its appearance now and in the future.